Melissa Galbraith of Des Moines on Life, Lessons & Legacy

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Melissa Galbraith. Check out our conversation below.

Good morning Melissa, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
I’ve become a big fan of hot yoga. Most week days from 9:30-10:30 am I’m at the yoga studio. Because much of my small business work is so sedentary, I really enjoy moving my body in new and interesting ways. I’ve found it also helps me feel more centered and focused for the day ahead.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am the fiber artist behind MCreativeJ. I was born and raised in the desert of Washington state where my mother instilled a love of making things by hand at an early age. I share my love of nature through whimsical and modern hand embroidery kits, patterns, workshops, and her books, 3D Botanical Embroidery & Stumpwork, How to Embroider Texture and Pattern and DIY Embroidered Shoes.
 
I was reintroduced to hand embroidery after needing a creative outlet from my corporate job. I love that embroidery is like coloring with a needle and thread. I found that many craft enthusiasts also wanted to learn how to embroider but were daunted by where to start. Thanks to this and a love of teaching, I began to share my hand embroidery knowledge.
 
My embroidery kits make it easy to learn a new craft for makers of all skill levels. I enjoys seeing makers fall in love with the needle arts, especially that magical ah-ha moment of learning something new.

Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
Growing up, my mom encouraged my sisters and me to try all sorts of crafting. From basket weaving to bobbin lace, rag rug making to quilting, and even hand embroidery. While I didn’t love or even like hand embroidery as a child, all of these early creative experiences helped me learn that it’s important to try. You don’t know if you don’t try. It’s helped me feel like I can take on most anything in my business because all I have to do is try.

If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
Keep your creative spark alive. Growing up, my mom always encouraged my sisters and I to be creative, however, going through school and entering college put me on a career path that wasn’t as creative or exciting as I wanted to be. Mostly because I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do after school and I needed to support myself. However, by continuing to encourage creativity, even in small ways, can inspire bigger and more exciting things like running your own hand embroidery small business.

Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Whom do you admire for their character, not their power?
My friend Samantha of Hemleva, is one of the nicest and kindest people I know. She is an amazing business woman. Before getting to know her I was very intimidated because she is a powerhouse and projects an aura of success. Over the past few years we’ve gotten to know each other, and she is all of those things, while also finding the time to be there for friends, keep up with what’s going on, be a supportive ear, offer advice, make the most amazing treats, and so much more.

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What will you regret not doing? 
Finding a better work-life balance. I’m terrible at this. I continually want to strive forward in my business and take on new opportunities, but that can often mean I don’t make time for my personal life. I’m trying to get better about it by making gradual changes like working out in the mornings and hiring seasonal help/ a VA to take on some of the work I can have others do. It’s a slow process.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Melissa Galbraith, MCreativeJ

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